A Game of Inches (Ravens-Steelers Wrap)
You can’t really get a closer game than Ravens vs. Steelers last night. It will also be tough to find a better all around football game this season. It was a bitter and brutal matchup between the only two teams that matter anymore in the AFC North. Sorry Ohio. If you don’t think these two teams beat on each other, just look at last night’s injury report: the wheels on the trainer’s cart were about to fall off.
Before I get into my thoughts on the Ravens, there are two points I want to make about Monday Night Football. The first is that when the Steelers play at home on Monday Night it would appear that they are legally bound to win. They have the best Monday night record in the history of Monday Night Football. That’s no excuse. It’s just interesting.
The second point I want to make is that Tony Kornheiser needs to go. I see no positive side to having him continue as a broadcaster, journalist or even D-list celebrity. I can’t stand Tony Kornheiser. He is the most fair weather commentator around and being that he works for ESPN—which is in bed with everyone when they are playing well—that says something. To top it all off, you have to listen to Chris Berman yell nonsensical, invented words for 15 minutes at halftime. What is Erin Andrews doing on Monday Nights?
Back to the Ravens. All The Dude wanted was his rug back and all Derrick Mason ever wanted was a QB who can deliver the ball to his hands with some velocity. He may finally have that. I think Le’Ron McClain may be the NFL reincarnation of a 26-year-old Jerome Bettis. That’s a good thing, even if Bettis played for the devil. Todd Heap can’t block to save his life. Daniel Wilcox, on the other hand, can block and catch touchdown passes … interesting. Yamon Figurs is fast but his lack of hands scares me.
On the other side, Sam Koch had a great night. Did I just talk about the punter? Ray Lewis is still the best linebacker in the NFL at age 33. If you are one of those people who thinks he should finish his career outside of Baltimore, then you sir are wrong. Last but not least, I know Jarred Johnson is going to catch a lot of flack for stupidly shoving Heinz Ward—who, by the way, is one of the most annoying people in the NFL. Johnson deserves it to a degree, it was dumb and costly but the play that was the dagger through the heart was Joe Flacco’s fumble. Granted, Flacco is a rookie, but it takes a team to lose a game.
As for the other rookie road debut, John Harbaugh, I thought he did well. He let the penalties get out of hand at times but again, he is a rookie as well. All in all it was a great game and even though we lost I think we showed that we can hang and I don’t think Pittsburgh is looking forward to coming to Baltimore on Dec. 14.
Next week is another tough match up. We face the undefeated Titans on 5 days rest. Will that be enough after last night’s slugfest? Let’s hope so. Two losses in a row plus a rookie coach and QB equals a momentum killer. Until next time …
(photo by Philip G. Pavely, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
Totally agreed, Kornheiser is awful. He was unbearable last night.
I am a Redskins fan, full disclosure (although I have nothing against the Ravens, just grew up in the 80s in Annapolis, which is Redskins country), but I have to say Flacco looks legit. You guys have yourself a QB. Also, Cam Cameron can call a game. Their offense is already leaps and bounds beyond the Billick years. Good stuff.
I have to say that despite any offensive mis steps this season, Cam Cameron can’t be blamed for any of them. I love the diversity he brings to the offense and he seems to be willing to stick with what works, ie haveing your fullback at tailback and not throwing to Todd Heap.
A Lebowski reference on TLC? Amazing; especially considering the fact that Neal’s never seen it. Something we need to fix.
For a guy that doesn’t even play for the Ravens, Todd Heap sure is on a lot of billboards around the city.
Wait, Neal’s never seen The Big Lebowski? So he has no frame of reference here. He’s like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie and wants to know…
Ah, fuck it, Neal. You’re out of your element here. All hail the Coens. Anyway, I really don’t have much to add to everything. The game just slipped from under our fingers, but with all of the positives to take away from it, I’ll take it. Let’s go Flacco!
Shit, out of my element? That’s harsh.
You’re like the 574th person to tell me I have to see that movie, so I’m going to do it soon. But, for the record, I am a Coens fan in general.
I would be glad to provide you with a copy, and moreso to watch it with you.
I’ll even refrain from telegraphing the lines before they happen. But just this once.
I might call Flacco “The Rug” from now on. Sweet analogy.
Neal…..tsk tsk.
Oh man, you didn’t even get the “out of your element” joke because it’s from the movie…..wonderful.
I’m trying to think of an Orioles analogy for being a self-proclaimed Coen Bros “fan” that has never seen The Big Lebowski.
It’s not their most popular flick (Ripken-Fargo) or their newest stud (Markakis-Burn After Reading) but more of a cult hero….hmmmm…….
“For the record, I am an Orioles fan. I’ve never heard of Wild Bill, but I’m going to check him out on Youtube, very soon.”
Terrible, right?
You’re a Coen Brothers PINKHAT, Neal.
Find yourself 2 hours, pour a white russian, settle down with a pack of zigzags and let us know what you think.
ah yes – football.
Justin summed it up nicely. I think the final verdict of the game was disappointing yes, but as the clock ran out everyone was glad to be Ravens fans and not Steelers fans, right?
the whole “battle vs. the war” thing.
I think I have to after that. Consider it done, and I will report.
“It’s not their most popular flick (Ripken-Fargo) or their newest stud (Markakis-Burn After Reading) but more of a cult hero….hmmmm…….”
Dempsey?
Why does everyone have it out for Tony Kornheiser? I hear it from so many different people and really I don’t get it. I think he’s great. I love the fact that he has different insight then your typical ex-football star (Jaws – gag). If we want to talk about throwing out sports commentators, why not start with virtually every commentator on CBS?
Then again, I liked Monday Night Football best when Dennis Miller was on, so I’m guessing every single one of you are going to throw my opinion out the window.
But forget about that…There was one thing that happened during the game that I haven’t heard anyone talk about. In the first quarter, Flacco threw an out route to Mason in the endzone which Mason dragged his feet and controlled the football landing out of bounds. The referee called it incomplete. When they showed the replay on tv, it looked pretty obvious that he got both feet in and controlled the ball but Harbaugh chose not to throw the red flag and they ended up with a field goal.
Did anyone else see this and have some thoughts?
I did see it, and even mentioned it to my friends, but when they didn’t review the play I just assumed that Harbaugh knows a lot more about football than I did and it was out of bounds. I was thankful for when Mason tried it again and they did review it the second time, successfully.
@Brad
As soon as I saw that replay, I started yelling at the TV to challenge. After calming down, though, I’m not sure it was obviuos that he had control when both feet were in. He definitely had control when he hit the ground, he definitely drug both feet, but did he have control AS he drug both feet? I personally think yes, but I think it was REALLY close. One of those plays that they’d keep the ruling on the field no matter what the original ruling was because there was no “conclusive evidence”
Good know at least I’m not crazy. It seemed like no one noticed it. I thought it was probably worth a challenge at least. Afterall, it was potentially for a touchdown. Oh well.
Brad- When I saw the replay I thought that MAson did not have full control of the ball until his feet left the ground to go out of bounds. It wasn’t a feet issue, it was a control issue. You must learn control.
You’re lecturing me on control? LOL
That’s a laugh. Thanks bro!